Fansided

Every NBA team’s best iteration ever

By Micah Wimmer

PORTLAND, OR - 1987: Head Coach Pat Riley leads Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - 1987: Head Coach Pat Riley leads Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 30
Next
BOSTON, MA – 1967: Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia 76ers posts up against Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics circa 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – 1967: Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia 76ers posts up against Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics circa 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers: 1966-67

Entering the 1966-67 season, Wilt Chamberlain was renowned for his individual brilliance- – he already won two MVP awards and averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds per game in 1962 – but had yet to win a championship despite coming close several times before being thwarted by Bill Russell and the Celtics. This year was different, though. Wilt was supported by three future Hall of Famers in Hal Greer, a reliable shooter, Chet Walker, a dynamic forward who could both score and rebound, and Billy Cunningham, a young and athletic sixth man. Together, they dominated the NBA, starting the season 46-4 before going on to set the record for most wins in an NBA season with 68. They were the best offensive team in the NBA and Wilt’s renewed focus on defense helped them finish third on that side of the ball as well. Additionally, the Sixers were coached by Hall of Fame coach Alex Hannum, who had previously defeated the Celtics in 1958 while coaching the St. Louis Hawks. From 1957 to 1969, the Celtics only failed to win the championship two times, and both times, they were defeated by a team coached by Hannum.

Chamberlain put up a number of unbelievable seasons during his career, but this one may have been his finest. He averaged 24 points and 24 rebounds per game, along with nearly 8 assists, showing a newfound inclination to create for his teammates. Additionally, he shot over 68 percent from the field and garnered an absurd 21.9 win shares that season. Many consider this Sixers team to be the best in NBA history, and it’s easy to see why.

Home/NBA